Aerial toy

ABSTRACT

An aerial toy includes a body and a wing. The body has a spine mated with a frontal portion. An upper edge of the spine is planar in a single plane at least in the vicinity where the spine mates with the frontal portion. The frontal portion is enlarged relative to the spine. The frontal portion has a top surface that is aligned with the plane of the spine. The wing extends downwardly from and is coupled to the spine adjacent the frontal portion, but is not coupled to the frontal portion. An aerial toy system includes a launching tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,362, filed on Feb. 12, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

An aerial toy and aerial toy system is disclosed herein. The aerial toy system includes an aerial toy and a launching tool for launching the aerial toy.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of aerial toys are known. NERF™ is a well-known brand that makes a variety of aerial toys.

SUMMARY

An example aerial toy is disclosed. In addition, a system that utilizes an example aerial toy as well as a launching tool and a catching device that may be used in playing a game with the aerial toy is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example aerial toy according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example aerial toy according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another example aerial toy according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 18 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another example aerial toy according to the invention;

FIG. 20 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a front view thereof;

FIGS. 25-40 depict side views of example aerial toys having different wing or spine shapes;

FIG. 41 depicts a side view of another example aerial toy having a spine that is shorter than the wing of the toy;

FIG. 42 depicts a side view of another example aerial toy having a spine that is substantially the same length as the wing;

FIG. 43 depicts a side view of another example aerial toy having a spine that is shorter than the length of the wing;

FIGS. 44-48 depict side views of various example aerial toys with the spine, wing and head of the toy having different sizes relative to one another;

FIG. 49 depicts a side view of an example aerial toy that has a curved rear spine with a round head;

FIG. 50 depicts a side view of an example aerial toy that has a curved rear spine, like that of FIG. 49, but with an oval head shape;

FIG. 51 depicts a side view of an example aerial toy that has a curved rear spine, like that of FIG. 49, but with an oval head shape that is angled downwardly;

FIG. 52 depicts a side view of an example aerial toy that has a curved rear spine, like that of FIG. 49, but with an oblong head shape;

FIG. 53 depicts a side view of an example aerial toy that has a curved rear spine, like that of FIG. 49, but with an egg-shaped head;

FIGS. 54-57 depict a variety of notch shapes for an example aerial toy having a curved rear spine, similar to that in FIG. 49;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of yet another example aerial toy according to the invention;

FIG. 59 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 60 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 61 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 62 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 63 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 64 is a front view of an example launching device for use with the aerial toys of FIGS. 1-62;

FIG. 65 is a side view of the example launching device of FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a side view of yet another example launching device for use with the aerial toys of FIGS. 1-62;

FIG. 67 is a front view of the example launching device of FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the example launching device of FIG. 66;

FIG. 69 depicts a front view of a racket that can be used with the example aerial toy;

FIG. 70 depicts a side view of the racket of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 depicts a plan view of a first spine section for use in manufacturing the example aerial toy similar to that of FIGS. 19-24;

FIG. 72 is a top view of the first spine section of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a plan view of a second spine section for use in manufacturing the example aerial toy similar to that of FIGS. 19-24;

FIG. 74 is a top view of the second spine section of FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a side plan view of an outer side of a first head section of the aerial toy;

FIG. 76 is a side plan view of an outer side of a second head section of the aerial toy;

FIG. 77 is a front view of the first head section, the rear view being the mirror image thereof;

FIG. 78 is a front view of the second head section, the rear view being the mirror image thereof;

FIG. 79 is a side plan view of an example wing for use with the aerial toy, with the opposite side being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 80 is a top view of the example wing of FIG. 79;

FIG. 81 is a front view of an alternative first head section similar to that shown in FIG. 77, but having a lesser thickness;

FIG. 82 is a front view of another alternative first head section similar to that shown in FIG. 77, but having a different profile than that shown in FIG. 77;

FIG. 83 is a top plan view of a spine section for manufacturing the example aerial toy similar to that of FIGS. 19-24;

FIG. 84 is a side view of the spine section of FIG. 83;

FIG. 85 is a side plan view of an outer side of the first head section of the aerial toy;

FIG. 86 is a side plan view of an outer side of the second head section of the aerial toy;

FIG. 87 is a front view of the first head section of FIG. 81;

FIG. 88 is a front view of the second head section of FIG. 86;

FIG. 89 is an example wing for use with the spine of FIG. 83, with the opposite side of the wing being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 90 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 88; and

FIG. 91 depicts a launching device in the form of a stick in operation in order to launch the toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example aerial toy 10 is shown and described herein. An aerial toy system is also shown and described herein that utilizes the aerial toy 10. The aerial toy 10 can take on any number of different shapes and sizes, as shown in the Figures, including variations of the embodiments shown in the Figures.

The example aerial toy 10 includes a spine 12, a wing 14, and a frontal or head portion 16 that is coupled to the spine 12. The head portion 16 may have a ball-shape or other shape, as desired, examples of which are shown in the Figures. The spine 12 may be made out of a firm material, such as foam or other like materials, including hard plastics and the like. The spine 12 may be bendable even though rigid in normal use. One type of foam that may be used is polyurethane foam. The flexibility of the spine 12 may affect the flight pattern of the aerial toy 10. A flexible but firm material is generally of use with the toy 10, although other materials could be used.

The wing 14 may be made of a flexible material and has a thickness that renders it flexible. The wing 14 may be formed from a sheet of material, or can be integrally formed with the spine 12 and frontal portion 16. Examples of flexible sheet materials include tarp materials, fabrics, coated fabrics, or plastic sheets, such as polyethylene sheets. Paper or plastic sheets may also be used, if desired. The wing 14 could also be made of a thin foam material, among other materials.

The head portion 16 may be formed of the same material as the spine 12, such as a foam material, or may be formed of a different material. The aerial toy 10 may be integrally molded together using injection molding or may be constructed in another manner. In the examples shown, the head portion 16 may be round, oval, oblong, flat, disc-shaped, egg-shaped or other shapes that are not shown, as described below in connection with the attached Figures.

The head portion 16, spine 12, and wing 14 may be integrally formed or may be formed separately from one another and joined with an adhesive or other method or technique. The head portion 16 and spine 12 may be formed as separate halves that are coupled together while trapping the wing 14 in the spine 12, as shown in FIGS. 71-79. The head 16 and spine 12 may be formed as a single integral piece of material that can be folded in the center in order to define the left and right sides of the aerial toy 10, also trapping the wing 14 between the two parts of the device 10, as shown in FIGS. 83-89.

The example toy 10 may be utilized along with a rubber band 18 or elastic member 18 in order to fling or launch the toy 10 into the air. One such example of a launching tool 20 that uses a rubber band loop is shown in FIG. 91. The rubber band 18 may be attached to the launching tool 20, such as a stick or slingshot. For example, the elastic member 18 may form a loop and be coupled to a single opening 22 in the launching device 20, as shown in FIG. 91, or the ends of the elastic member 18 may be coupled to two arms 24 of a slingshot type launching device 20, as shown in FIGS. 64-68.

The toy 10 may include an indentation or notch 26 between a rear surface 28 of the frontal portion 16 and a front end 30 of the wing 14 for receiving the rubber band 18. The notch 26 may be formed by a cutout portion 28 of the head portion 16, or may be formed simply by the fact that a space 34 is created between the head portion 16, spine 12, and wing 14. Like a slingshot, the toy 10 may be coupled with the rubber band 18 and pulled backwards until it is released. Upon release, the toy 10 launches into the air. The toy 10 first flies through the air and, as it descends, spins in a manner similar to a maple leaf. The toy 10 could alternatively be thrown by hand.

The figures include various drawings that include variations on a common theme. In a first example, shown in FIGS. 1-6, a spine 12 is coupled to a rounded ball-shaped frontal portion 16. The spine 12 and ball-shaped portion may be integral with one another. A wing 14 is coupled below the spine 12 adjacent the frontal portion 16 and extends to the rear end 36 of the spine 12. The spine 12 has a greater thickness at the front end 38 adjacent the frontal portion 16 than at a rear end 36 of the spine 12. A step 40, which in this embodiment has a curved shape, on the sides of the spine 12 defines the point where the thickness of the spine 12 steps from thicker to thinner. A top area 42 of the spine 12 forms a substantially straight line such that part or all of the spine 12 lies in a common plane P, and a top end 44 of the ball is planar with the line.

A dashed line 46 is shown extending down the center along the length of the aerial toy 10. This line is representative of two halves of the aerial toy 10 that include the spine 12 and frontal portion 16. These two halves may be completely separate parts that are joined together by any means, such as adhesive, or the two halves may be formed from a single stock of material and then folded along the dashed line 46. The same is true for other embodiments shown herein. Therefore, this description of the dashed line 46 shall be presumed to apply to all embodiments that incorporate such a dashed line 46 unless otherwise noted. As previously discussed, the frontal portion 16 may be integral with the spine 12, or may be separately formed relative to the spine 12 and then attached to the spine 12 using any known means. The attachment means will depend on the type of material utilized for the spine 12 and the frontal portion 16. For example, when foam is used, an adhesive may be utilized to couple the parts.

The wing 14 is shown as extending downwardly from the spine 12. The wing 14 may be trapped between the left and right sides of the spine 12, with an adhesive applied therein to maintain the wing 14 in the spine 12. As shown, a gap or space 34 is positioned between the front 30 of the wing 14 and the rear 28 of the frontal portion 16. This gap is a position where a launching elastic member 18 can be coupled in order to launch the toy 10 into the air.

FIGS. 7-12 depict an aerial toy 10 that is similar to the aerial toy 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, except for the aerial toy 10 in FIGS. 7-12 includes a notch 26 that is positioned on the rear side 28 of the frontal portion 16. The notch 26 extends across the width of the frontal portion 16, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The notch 26 has a curved inner surface 48 that bows outwardly and extends partially into the interior of the frontal portion 16. The notch 26 extends approximately 1/16, ⅛ or ¼ of the thickness into the frontal portion 16, but could extend different thicknesses if desired. A top edge 50 of the notch 26 substantially aligns with the lower extent of the spine 12 such that when an elastic launching member 18 is guided into the notch 26, it is trapped in the notch 26 by the frontal portion 16, spine 12 and wing 14. As with the prior example, the wing 14 is not attached to the frontal portion 16. Differently sized notches may also be used.

FIGS. 13-18 depict yet another example of the aerial toy 10 according to the invention. The example aerial toy 10 includes a frontal portion 16 that has a thinner profile than the prior two embodiments, which were round. The frontal portion 16 has a thickness T1 that is substantially the same as the thickness T2 of the front end 38 of the spine 12. The spine 12 tapers from a first thickness T2 to a lesser second thickness T3 as the rear end 36 of the spine 12. The wing 14 is positioned below the spine 12. A notch 26 having a uniform profile is positioned at a rear end 28 of the frontal portion 16. This is in contrast to the notch 26 formed in the rear end 28 of the ball-shaped frontal portion 16 of the prior two embodiments, which had a curved interior shape 48. This example could alternatively have a curved internal shape 48 to the notch 26, or the prior embodiments could have a more uniform side cut out like that in this embodiment.

FIGS. 19-24 depict an example aerial toy 10 that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 above, but the spine 12 has a uniform thickness along its length and the spine 12 is thinner and longer than that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6. The wing 14 extends from adjacent the frontal portion 16 to the end of the spine 12. Alternatively, the wing 14 could have a shorter or a longer length than the spine 12. The wing 14 also has a height H1 that is greater than a height H2 of the frontal portion 16. Alternatively, the wing 14 could have a shorter height, such as one that is equal to or lesser than the height of the frontal portion 16.

FIGS. 25-40 depict alternative shapes for the wing 14 and/or the spine 12 of the aerial toy 10. Any number of different shapes may be used for the wing 14 and/or spine 12, including those depicted or variations thereof. In addition, although not shown in FIGS. 25-40, the spine 12 can taper or step in different thicknesses to provide variations in the thickness of the spine 12.

FIGS. 41-43 depict different variations of the example aerial toy 10 that utilizes a similarly shaped head portion 16. FIG. 41 depicts a spine 12 that has a curved lower line 52 and a wing 14 that is longer than the length of the spine 12. FIG. 42 depicts a spine 12 that has a differently curved lower line 52 and a wing 14 that is shorter or substantially the same as the length of the spine 12. FIG. 43 depicts an aerial toy 10 that has a spine 12 with a substantially straight lower line 54 and with a wing 14 that is longer than the spine 12. The wing 14 of FIG. 43 is approximately 20% longer than the spine 12. Alternatively, the wing 14 could be longer than the spine 12 by about 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%; 50% or other increments between any of these numbers. The wing 14 could also be longer than the spine 12 by greater than 50%. The examples in FIGS. 41-43 depict a round frontal portion 16. Other shaped frontal portions 16 could also be used, as well as larger or smaller diameter frontal portions 16.

FIGS. 44-48 depict a variety of different shaped aerial toys 10 according to the invention. FIGS. 44-46 depict a toy 10 that is similar in shape, but the toy of FIG. 44 is longer than the toy 10 of FIG. 45 and the toy 10 of FIG. 46 has a wing 14 that is taller than the wing 14 of FIG. 45. FIG. 47 depicts a toy 10 that has a shape similar to that of FIG. 44, but with a larger head portion 16 and with a wing 14 that is longer than the spine 12. FIG. 48 is similar to FIG. 47, except the spine 12 has a curved lower line 52 that is wider where it mates with the head portion 16 and narrower at the end of the spine 12. As is evident, numerous variations can be created by varying the size and shape of the head portion 16, varying the length, height, width, and shape of the spine 12, and varying the length, height, width, and shape of the wing 14.

FIGS. 49-53 depict an alternative embodiment of the aerial toy 10 where a common plane P is provided at the upper surface of the toy 10 at the front 42 where the head portion 16 mates with the spine 12, and then the upper surface of the spine 12 curves downwardly towards the rear 36 of the toy 10. FIGS. 49-53 depict a device 10 that has a stepped width to the spine 12, with a greater width being in front 38 of the step 40 and a lesser width being behind the step 40. As with prior examples, the wing 14 is thinner than the spine 12 and, as such, is more flexible.

FIG. 49 depicts an aerial toy 10 having a round head portion 16. FIG. 50 depicts an oval/oblong head portion 16 that has a long axis A that is horizontally positioned. FIG. 51 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 50, but the oval/oblong head portion 16 is tilted downwardly at the rear corner 28, such that the Axis A is not horizontal. FIG. 52 depicts a head portion 16 that is rounded, but not completely round, such that is it more oval than round. In addition, the head portion 16 in FIG. 52 is slanted downwardly on Axis A at its rear end 28. FIG. 53 depicts a head portion 16 that is egg-shaped, with the top of the egg shape representing the front of the head portion 16. All of the head portions 16 are coupled to the spine 12 in a manner that is similar to that described in connection with the prior embodiments.

FIGS. 54-57 depict an aerial toy 10 similar to that of FIG. 49, but including a uniform notch 26 through a rear side 28 of the head portion 16. The notch 26 of FIG. 54 is rounded. The notch 26 of FIG. 55 is v-shaped and extended into the center 56 of the head portion 16. The notch 26 of FIG. 56 is also v-shaped, but shorter than the V-shape of FIG. 55 such that it does not extend all the way to the center 56 of the head portion 16. FIG. 57 has a trapezoidally shaped notch 26 formed on the rear surface 28 of the head portion 16 that extends less than half way into the center 56 of the head portion 16.

As shown, the notch 26 can extend partially into the head portion 16 in any manner desired. In one embodiment, the notch 26 may extend inwardly approximately 10% of the thickness. In another embodiment, the notch 26 may extend inwardly approximately 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the diameter or thickness of the head portion 16. The shape of the notch 26 may be uniform such as shown in FIGS. 54-57, where the notch 26 extends a common distance through the head portion 16 when viewed from the side thereof. The notch 26 may extend in a channel 58 having a common depth along part of its length, such that it appears that the notch 26 has an inner surface 48 inside the head portion 16. The channel 58 could have a common depth along its length, or be smoothed or feathered into the outer surface of the head portion 16 so there is not an abrupt drop.

FIGS. 58-63 depict an example aerial toy 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 55, but with the notch 26 being defined by a channel 58 that forms a surface 48 inside the notch 26. The surface 48 inside the notch 26 is rounded and permits an elastic band 18 to be more easily released from the notch 26 during play. FIGS. 58-63 also are similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 49, but with a notch 26 positioned on a rear surface 28 of the head portion 16. Any discussion of FIG. 49 herein is applicable to the embodiment of FIGS. 58-63.

FIGS. 64-68 depict two different launching devices 20 that can be used with the aerial toy 10 to launch it into the air. FIG. 91 represents another launching device 20. The launching devices 20 of FIGS. 64-68 are similar to a sling shot in that they have a U-shaped or Y-shaped central opening 60 with an elastic band 18 that spans the opening at the top 62 of the device 20. The U-shaped or Y-shaped central opening 60 is formed by two upwardly extending arms 24. The elastic band 18 may be coupled to the device 20 in any known manner, such as by over molding, or by forming apertures through the thickness of the arms 24 and knotting the ends of the elastic band 18 so that the knot may not slip through the apertures. Alternatively, a notch (not shown) could be provided that is perpendicular to the length of the arms 24 and the elastic band 18 may be slipped around the arms 24 into the notches 66 in order to maintain the elastic band 18 on the arms 24. Many different ways to attach an elastic band 18 to an arm, including all the ways known in the sling-shot industry, are known by those of skill in the art and applicable here. Any of the known ways may be used in the instant case, as well as variations of what is known.

Referring to FIGS. 64 and 65, this embodiment of the launching tool 20 is shaped like a somewhat conventional slingshot. A U-shaped opening 60 provides upwardly extending arms 24. The arms 24 have a width at an upper extent thereof and form an upwardly facing surface 64 that includes a notch 66 that extends downwardly from the upper surface 64. The notches 66 are shown as being substantially v-shaped, but could be other shapes. The notches 66 are utilized to store the example aerial toys 10 on the launching tool 20 and serve as an “ammunition holder”, since they would permit a user to store two different aerial toys 10 while firing an aerial toy 10. The upper portion of the launching tool 20 includes the two upwardly extending arms 24 that are coupled together at their lower extent into a joining member 68. This member is coupled to a handle 70 that has a gripping portion 72. The arms 24 of the launching tool 20 are shown as being thinner than the handle and the joining member. The arms 24 may be thinner to save on material costs, or may be thinner in order to impart a spring to the arms 24 in order to assist in launching the aerial toy 10. Holes 74 may extend through the arms 24 in order to provide decorative features, or to provide additional flexibility to the arms 24 in order to add spring to the arms 24 during use. The handle is shown as having a greater thickness than the arms 24 in order to impart some strength to the tool 20.

FIGS. 66-68 depict a device 20 that is similar to that shown in FIGS. 64-65, but the device 20 of FIGS. 66-68 also includes an opening 76 that is bounded by a net 78 in order to permit a user to catch aerial toys 10 in the net during play. The example launching tool 20 of FIGS. 66-68 includes a U-shaped or v-shaped opening 60 at the upper end thereof, with arms 24 that extend upwardly and have an upwardly facing surface 64. The arms 24 join together below the U-shape and form a curved edge 80 for the net opening 76.

The exterior of the launching tool 20 upper part is rounded, with the U-shape being coupled at the upper end of the rounded exterior to define the U-shape. Two notches 66 are formed on the upper surface 64 adjacent the U-shaped opening 60 for storing additional aerial toys 10, e.g., for holding additional ammunition. The rounded body of the upper portion defines a rim that is bounded by a net 78 with an opening that is sized to permit aerial toys 10 to enter the opening. The net 78 is sized to permit aerial toys 10 to enter and be held in the net 78 during play. Part of an aerial toy 10 may extend out of the opening when it is captured in the net 78, or all of the aerial toy 10 may fit into the net 78.

A handle 70 is positioned at the lower end of the launching tool 20 and includes an upwardly extending member 82 that is joined with the rounded part of the upper portion of the launching tool 20. The handle 70 has an optional gripping portion 72. The handle 70 is also optional.

The launching tool 20, as shown has a thinner profile at the upper end and a thicker profile at the handle end in order to impart strength to the handle 70 and to provide some limited flexibility to the upper part. The upper part may include through holes 74 in order to impart greater flexibility if desired. The launching tool 20 may include a surface or area 86 for application of a logo (not shown). The entire surface of the launching tool 20 may include artwork, if desired.

An elastic member or band 18 is coupled to span the U-shaped opening 60 like a sling shot. The elastic band 18 may be coupled to the launching tool 20 in any known manner.

The launching tool 20 may be made of any known material, but one type of material that may be used is a hard plastic material. The hard plastic provides strength to the tool 20 and also is easily manufactured using processes such as injection molding. Plastic may also be conducive to accepting artwork, making the design more attractive to the consumer.

FIGS. 69 and 70 depict a racket 104 that can be used for batting the aerial toy 10. The racket 104 can be used instead of a launching tool 20. Alternatively, although not show, the racket 104 may include an elastic member 18 that can be used to assist in launching the toy. The racket 104 includes a rounded frame with a downwardly extending joining member 108 that couples to a handle 70. The handle 70 may include a gripping portion 72. A taut net 110 is coupled to the opening 106 formed by the rounded frame 112. The net 110 may be any type of netting, but could also be strings that are similar to those disposed on a tennis racket. Any known means may be used for coupling the net 110 to the frame 112. The racket 104 may have other shapes than shown.

FIGS. 72-82 and 83-90 depict two possible ways to assemble the example aerial toy 10. FIGS. 72-82 depicts an embodiment where the left and right sides 88, 90 of the device 10 are separate from one another and molded separately. These include a left spine 88, a right spine 90, a left head portion 92, a right head portion 94, and a wing 14. The left and right spine portions 88, 90 are coupled together with the wing 14 sandwiched between them. Then the head portions 92, 94 are coupled to the rounded ends 96 of the spine portions 88, 90. The various parts may be coupled together using an adhesive or other means of joining. This manufacturing method permits for the different parts to be made of different materials.

FIGS. 81 and 82 show how the head portion 16 can have different shapes.

FIGS. 83-90 depict another possible way to assembly the example aerial toy 10. In this embodiment, the spine 12 is formed of a single piece of foam 98 that is folded down the middle 100. The aerial toy 10 includes a left head portion 92, a right head portion 94, and a wing 14. The foam spine 98 can have a shape that is rounded at the end 96 where the head portion 16 is attached, or could have a smaller shape 102, such as the example rectangular shape depicted using dashed lines. The spine 98 is folded over the wing 14 in order to trap the wing 14 between the parts of the spine 98. Then the left and right head portions 92, 94 can be coupled to the spine 98. Where a rounded end 96 is provided on the spine, the head portions 92, 94 seat on top of the rounded portions 96. Where a shortened rectangular portion 102 is provided at the end of the spine 38, the rectangular portion 102 is surrounded on all sides by the head portions 92, 94 and would not be visible once the head portions 92, 94 are glued together. The spine 12 and head portions 92, 94 for each side could be integrally molded, if desire, in which case less assembly would be required.

Another possible assembly technique for making the aerial toy 10 is to simply mold the three parts 12, 14, 16 together as s single integral piece, such that the wing 14, spine 12 and head portion 16 are molded together at the same time. Injection molding or other molding techniques may be used, as known by those of skill in the art.

The aerial toy 10 may be packaged on a display card (not shown) and may include the launching tool 20 and elastic band 18. A sturdy cardboard card may be used. The launching tool 20 may be made of plastic or other materials, if desired.

FIG. 91 shows one way to use the toy 10. In this embodiment, the flying toy 10 comes with a launching stick 20 that includes an elastic cord 18. The launching stick 20 is an elongated, stick-shaped member having a uniform cross-section. It may have other cross-sections and could include a handle 70, if desired. The elastic cord 18 is coupled to the launching stick 20 in any known manner. One possible way to attach the elastic cord 18 to the stick would be to form a hole 22 in the stick 20 and extend the ends of the cord 18 through the hole 22 and knot them together such that the knot holds the loop of elastic 18 in the hole 22. In use, the user places the cord 18 in the notch 26 formed on the rear surface 28 of the head portion 16 of the aerial toy 10. Or, when no notch 26 is provided, the user positions the elastic cord 18 in the space 34 that is provided between the head portion 16 and the wing 14, below the spine 12. Then, the aerial toy 10 is pulled back and let go to shoot. The toy 10 can fly 50 feet in distance, or more.

The launching tools 20 of FIGS. 64-68 are used in a similar manner by positioning the elastic band 18 in the notch 26 or in the space 34 behind the head portion 16, pulling back, and letting go.

While not shown, a lighting element may be embedded in or coupled to the head portion 16 of the toy 10 in order to light up the toy 10 in any known manner. Many types of different artwork can be applied to the body and wing 14, as known by those of skill in the art.

As discussed above, the head portion 16 may take on different shapes. These shapes may be used to represent different types of sports, games or events. For example, a round head could be a soccer ball, baseball, or basketball. A football shaped head portion 16 could be used to represent football or rugby. Decorative artwork could be positioned on the spine 12, head portion 16 and wing 14 in order to promote or advertise a certain type of team or event. Other shapes may be used to represent balls or birdies used in other sports. The device 10 may be used for promotional purposes, such as a giveaway at trade shows.

The head portion 16 could also be modified to represent different bugs, animals, and creatures, including a bat, butterfly, frog, lizard, dog, eagle, dragon, cat, butterfly, pig, and fairy, among others, with appropriately matching artwork on the body and wing 14 of the aerial toy 10. The head portion 16, wing 14 and spine 12 could also be modified to provide various seasonal designs, such as a snowman, Santa Claus, and an Easter egg.

The spine 12 must be rigid enough to maintain its shape during flight and during handling, but may also be flexible so that it can be bent in a manner that foam would typically be bent. The wing 14 is more flexible than the spine 12 and head portion 16, mainly due to its reduced thickness. The wing 14 could be fabric-like or made of a fabric material. The aerial toy 10 may be made of manmade or other materials. The wing 14 may also be made of a more rigid material, like foam, if desired. Possible materials include ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP) and SBA.

Although not shown, the wing 14 could be made in multiple parts and multiple wing sections could be utilized. The head portion 16 could be hollow or solid.

The various embodiments are also described in the wording shown in the attachments.

The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerial toy comprising: a body that includes a spine mated with a frontal portion, with an upper edge of the spine being planar in a single plane in at least the vicinity where the spine mates with the frontal portion; with the frontal portion being enlarged relative to the shape of the spine, with the frontal portion having a top surface that is aligned with the plane of the spine; a wing coupled to the spine and extending downwardly therefrom, the wing be coupled to the spine adjacent the frontal portion, but not coupled to the frontal portion.
 2. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the plane of the spine and the frontal portion is the same along the entire top surface of the spine and frontal portion; or the plane of the spine and the front portion is the same in the vicinity of where the top surface of the spine and frontal portion mate, but the spine bends downwardly towards the rear of the spine such that it is no longer in the plane of the spine and frontal portion.
 3. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a polyurethane foam material.
 4. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the wing has a thickness that is thinner than the spine and the frontal portion and the wing, spine and frontal portion are integrally molded.
 5. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the wing is formed separately from the body and the body includes a left side and a right side, and the wing is trapped between the left and right sides of the body and further including an adhesive positioned between the left and right sides of the body and the wing.
 6. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the frontal portion includes a notch, said notch facing rearwardly towards the wing, with the notch being a recessed formed in a surface of the frontal portion.
 7. The aerial toy of claim 5, wherein a space is provided below the spine, behind the frontal portion and in front of the wing for engaging with an elastic band for use in launching the aerial toy.
 8. The aerial toy of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a material that maintains its shape during flight and play, but is flexible, and the wing is flexible and easily bendable.
 9. An aerial toy comprising: a spine made of a substantially rigid but bendable foam material; a head portion coupled to the spine and made of a substantially rigid foam material; a wing coupled to the spine and extending downwardly therefrom, the wing being made of a flexible material; a notch formed in the head portion adjacent the wing and spine; wherein the spine is coupled to the head portion, and the spine and head portion together form an upper planar continuous surface where the spine and head portion meet.
 10. The aerial toy of claim 9, wherein the head portion has a thickness and the spine has a thickness, and the thickness of the head portion is greater than the thickness of the spine.
 11. The aerial toy of claim 9, wherein the spine has varying thickness between a front end and a rear end of the spine; or the spine has a greater thickness adjacent the head portion than at a rear end of the spine; or the spine has a thickness that varies in steps from a greater thickness at the head portion to a smaller thickness at the rear end of the spine; or the spine has a constant thickness along its length.
 12. The aerial toy of claim 10, wherein the wing has a length that is one of shorter than or longer than the spine; and the wing has a height that is one of taller than or shorter than the head portion;
 13. An aerial toy system comprising: the aerial toy of claim 1; and a launching tool, with the launching tool including an elastic band attached thereto for engaging with the aerial toy and for launching the aerial toy when the elastic band is stretched and released, said launching tool including a handle.
 14. The aerial toy system of claim 13, wherein the elastic band of the launching tool is coupled to the tool so as to provide a slingshot.
 15. The aerial toy system of claim 13, wherein the launching tool includes an open net portion that is sized to permit the entry of at least part of the aerial toy therein in order to trap the aerial toy in the net during play.
 16. The aerial toy system of claim 13, wherein the launching tool includes a frame having a substantially Y-shaped or U-shaped upper portion, with the elastic band coupled between legs of the Y or U-shape, and an opening defined in the frame below the Y or U-shape, with a net coupled to the opening to define a recess for receiving at least part of the aerial toy through the opening during play.
 17. The aerial toy system of claim 16, wherein the frame further comprises at least one storage element on the frame of the launching tool, with the storage element being configured for attaching aerial toys to the launching tool for storage.
 18. The aerial toy system of claim 17, wherein the storage element is a substantially upwardly opening notch positioned on an edge of the upper portion of the frame for holding the aerial toy in the notch.
 19. The aerial toy system of claim 13, wherein the launching tool is a stick-shaped member having an elastic loop coupled to one end thereof, with an opposite end serving as a handle and being grippable by a user. 